"My problem with using things like the RPi for such simple LED blinking projects is that it contributes to the cult of overengineering that plagues the industry

"My problem with using things like the RPi for such simple LED blinking projects is that it contributes to the cult of overengineering that plagues the industry." I disagree a bit with you (I do agree that if all the RPi ends up doing is flashing a LED, then that is a waste) You have to start somewhere and if it is flashing a LED with a Pi then cool. The path to ESP32 or ESP8266 is not far away and there is a lot, lot more to discover and play with and learn and frankly have fun with and maybe do something useful or change the world (or a tiny bit of it) with. I had some of the best opportunities available to me in IT and electronics and electrics, schools, teachers etc etc etc. but I didn't have today's opportunities. If I was growing up today I think I would probably have started with a Pi and blinked some LEDs.